Amalgamating-machine.



No. 748,456. PATENTED B50529, 1903.. s. ALPORD & J. J. R. SMYTHE.

A MALGAMATING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED PEB.14, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

we mam; vcrzns co. mmrauwo WASHINUTON. n.

No. 748,45G.

rrn STATES fatnted ilecem'ber 29, 1903;

PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL ALFORD AND JOHN JAMES ROBERT SMYTHE, OF JOHANNESBURG, TRANSVAAL,ASSIGNORS OF" ONE THIRD TO CHARLES LLEWELLYN ANDERSON, OF .IOHANNESBURG,TRANSVAAL.

AMALGAMATING-MACHINE.

QIEEGIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 748,456, dated December29, 1903.

Application filed February 14, 1903. Serial No. 143,404- (No model.)

1'0 all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, SAMUEL ALFORD and JOHN JAMES ROBERT SMYTHE,subjects of the King of England, residing at Johannesburg,

5 Transvaal, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inAmalgamating-Machines, (for which we have applied for Letters Patent inthe Transvaal, No. 625, filed November 27, 1902,) of which the following[0 is a specification.

This invention relates to amalgamatingmachines employed in the treatmentof anriferous or other metalliferous ores for the separation orextraction of the precious metal.

The object with which the invention is designed is to produce a machineof increased efficiency or one in which a higher or more completeextraction of the precious metal from the pulp or sand will be obtained,and

that with the loss of a minimum quantity of mercury.

With the improved machine we can deal effectively, rapidly, and cheaplywith large quantities of pulp, thereby rendering it possible to treatlow-grade ores profitably. In

our machine the pulp is not passed through the mercury, as in many ofthe existing machines, (which action has the effect 0f.breaking up themercury and results in it being carried away in the pulp and lost;) butby centrifugal action the pulp is brought into contact with the surfaceonly, and in its passage through the machine it passes over or isexposed to a much larger surface of mercury in comparison with theamalgamating-machines now in use.

The invention consists, essentially, of a ma-' chine comprising arotating vessel provided internally with pockets or traps adapted to 40retain within the vessel a quantity or body of mercury, into whichrotating vessel the pulp isintroduced and caused to pass or flow overthe surface of the mercury and out of the vessel by the centrifugalaction set up therein.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, we append a sheetof drawings, in which we illustrate an amalgamating-machine embodyingour invention and which 0 we have marked with letters of referencecorresponding to the following description thereof.

Figure 1 shows a sectional elevation of the machine, and Fig. 2 a planof same.

In the construction of the machine we employ a circular rotating pan orvessel A for the mercury. In the construction shown in the drawings thispan consists of two truncated or frusto cones, the base of the lowerfrustum a forming the bottom of the vessel and the base of the upperfrustum af'the open top of the vessel. In other Words, the vessel may bedescribed as a circular one having its sides inclined inward and upwardfrom the bottom to the center and then outward and upward to the top.

The base of the vessel A on the under side is formed with a socket orboss 29, provided with a central taper hole adapted to receive the upperextremity of the vertically-disposed 7o driving-shaft B. The extremityof the shaft 13 projecting into the socket a is made taper to correspondto the socket. Through the socket a is formed a keyway and through thatportion of the shaft B fitted therein is provided a coincident key wayor hole. a is a key passing through the coincident keyways in the socketand shaft for detachably fixing the vessel or pan A on the extremity ofthe shaft B.

The vertically-arranged driving-shaft Bis supported in a pedestal O,which forms a bearing a for it at the top or in proximity to the base ofthe pan A and also a footstep bearing 0 for the lower extremity thereof.In the top bearing a is screwed a bush 0 formed with an internal taper,and that portion of theshaft contained within the same iscorrespondingly tapered, so that by screwing up the bush the shaft maybe centered and adjusted or any looseness or play in the bearing due towear may be taken up.

a is a liner or bush for the lower portion of thetop bearing 0, and alubricator may be provided for introducinga lubricant into said bearing.

On the lower extremity of the shaft B,above the foot step-bearing c, isscrewed or otherwise fixed a disk or collar 0 and on the top of thebearing 0 is fixed a plate or disk 0 I00 The adjacent surfaces of thetwo plates or disks c c are recessed or grooved to form a race for theantifriction-balls which are interposed between them.

On the driving-shaft B, above the disk or collar is keyed or otherwisesecurely attached a bevel-wheel 0 In proximity to the pedestal Obearings c 0 are provided, in which is journaled a horizontal shaft D.The supports for the bearings of the shaft D are preferably cast in onebevel-wheel c fixed on the vertical shaft B. By this means a rotarymotion is transmitted from the horizontal shaft D to the vertical shaftB and through the latter to the amalgamating-pan A.

Any suitable alternative arrangement of gearing may be employed forimparting the requisite rotary motion to the pan A which will allow ofthe speed at which the pan is rotated to be varied according to thecharacte'r ofthe pulp to be treated or the quantity it is desired topass through the machine.

' In the interior of the pan A and on the bottom thereof are fixed twoconcentric conical rings 6 e. The rings are fixed to the bottom ojff'thepan by means of the bolts e passed through flanges formed round'therings at the base. The rings 6 e are shallow as compared with the depthof the pan A, and the inner ring 6 is shallower than the outer ring e.The two rings 6 e, as also the lower frustum a, form annular pockets orrecesses round the base of the pan A on the inside,

which operate as traps to retain the mercury j within the pan when it isrotated at a high speed.

Round the top or upper edge of the amalgamating-pan A is formed a fiatannular lip E, and encircling the pan are two concentrically-arrangedcylinders F F. The inner cylinder F is slightly less in diameter thanthe top of the pan A, so that it projects heneath the lip E, and theouter cylinder F, which is larger in diameter than the top of the pan,projects above the level of the lip E and is turned inward at the top,as seen at f, so as to defiect'the pulp as it flows over the lip Eintothe annular chamber E, formed between the cylinders F F, and preventit from splashing over the upper edge of the outer cylinder F.

The concentric cylinders F F are shaped so as to cause the pulp when itenters the annular chamber E to flow to a convenient point fordischarge. This is effected by inclining the bottom f of the chamber Eto a spout or outletf fitted in the bottom f at thelowest point. Thespout f may discharge intoa launder or trough, along which the pulp willflow to any desired point.

In the bottom f of the chamber E is fitted a union f for a water-supplyconnection to wash the pulp out of the chamber, if necessary. The unionis fitted in the bottom f at the highest point.

The cylinders F F are carried by the four adjustable legs or supports fThe pulp or sand to be treated is led or introduced into the machinealong an inclined overhead launder G, which terminates above the pan. Inthe end of the launder G, immediately over the center of the pan A, isfixed a cylindrical feed pipe or chute H, down which the pulp falls ontothe center of the pan. The pipe H is fixed in the bottom of the launderby means of the flange it formed on or attached to the top of the pipe.In order to effect an equald'istribution of thepulp in the interior ofthe pan A, the center of the pipe H is in alinement with the center ofthe shaft B or the axis of the pan A.

In the interior of the pan A and above the concentric conical rings 6 eis a horizontallydisposed adjustable deflecting plate or disk J. Thisdisk is hung or suspended. from the feed-pipeHby means of the four rodsj. The rods at theirlower endsare attached to lugs j, formed on the topof the disk J, and at their upper ends pass through a flangej formed ona collarj and have nuts 7' screwed on their extremities above saidflange. The collarj is adjustably fixed on the pipe H by means ofaset-screw or the like passed through a holej in the collar.

The deflecting-disk J acts to prevent the pulp when it falls into thepan Afrom splashing upward and compels it as it passes through the panto spread or pass over the surface of the mercury in the several pocketsor traps. The disk J can be arranged so that it assumes a position justbelow the center of the pan or the smallest diameter thereof, as shownin the drawings, or it may be raised or lowered from that position, asmay be found necessary or desirable in the working of the machine toeffect the spreading or distribution of the pulp in the pan, whilenotimpedingits egress th eref ro m In the bottom of the pan A holes It kare provided and fitted with plugs. These holes serve to draw off themercury from the pan,

the hole It for the pocket formed by the outer concentric ring 6 and thehole it for the pocket formed by the frustum a or the lower portion ofthe pan A.

For the purpose of passing an electric current through the pan and itscontents a copper or other suitable metal ring or band L is shrunk orotherwise fixed round the bottom edge of the pan A.' A bracketl isadjustably bolted to one of the legs f of the cylinders F F. The bracketZ, which is shaped to project within a short distance of the metal bandL, carries a brush Z, connected with the electrical wire M, thus formingan electrical connection with the rotating metal pan A. The otherelectrical wire, N, is attached to the metal feed-pipe H at the pointotor in other convenient position, thereby constituting the pipe the anodefor the passage of the electric current through the mercury containedwithin the pan A.

The particular shape of the amalgamatingpan and the precise arrangement,construction, or number of the pockets or traps above described, andshown in the drawings, are not absolutely essential for theaccomplishment of the objects we have in view-viz., the retention of themercury within the pan, while allowing it to be rotated rapidly, and topresent a large area or surface of the mercury to the pulp as it flowsthrough the pan by the centrifugal action setup within the same when itis rotated. We find that the peculiar shape of the vessel and theconstruction and arrangement of the rings shown and described give goodresults in practice; but we illustrate them by way of example only.

In working the machine a suitable quantity of mercury is first placed inthe pan A, and motion is then imparted to shaft B, which in turn rotatesthe pan. Should too much mercury have been placed in the pan for thespeed at which it is intended to run, it will be thrown out of thevessel over the lip E and may be caught at thespoutf? The pulp or sandis now led along the launder G and falls from thence down the pipe Honto the bottom of the pan, and the electrical current is then switchedon. The deflectingdisk J operates to prevent the pulp splashing upwardout of the pan, secures an even and equal distribution of the incomingpulp, and compels it to flow or pass over the surface of the mercurycontained within the recesses formed by the concentric conical rings e eand lower frustum a. The mercury fills or partially fills the recessesformed in the interior of the rings 6 e and the recess formed by theinwardly-inclined sides of the lower portion a of the pan, so that asthe pulp passes over the surface of the mercury and is thrown to theperiphery of the pan by the centrifugal action the metallic particlesare amalgamated,

and the remainder of the pulp passes up the surface or wall presented bythe mercury,

over the edge formed at the center of the pan above the disk J, and upthe outwardly-inclined sides of the upper part a of the pan and over thelip E into the chamber E be: tween the cylinders F F, whence it passesout through the spout f What we claim as ourinvention, and desire toprotect by Letters Patent, is'

1. An amalgamating-machine, comprising a revoluble pan, and a ring ofless heightand diameter than the rim of the pan, secured to .andinclining upwardly and inwardly from the bottom of the pan, as setforth.

2. An amalgamating-machine, comprising a revoluble pan, and a piuralityof concentric rings of less height and diameter than the rim of the pan,secured to and inclining upwardly and inwardly from the bottom of thepan, as set forth.

3. An amalgamating-machine, comprising a revoluble pan, and a pluralityof concentric rings of less diameter than the rim of the pan, secured tothe bottom of the pan, the outer ring being of less height than the rimof the pan and the inner ring being of less height than the outer ring,as set forth.

4. An amalgamatingmachine, comprising a revoluble pan having a rimwhichinclines first inward and upward from the bottom and thence outward andupward to the top, and one or more rings of less height and diameterthan that of the rim, secured to and inclining upwardly and inwardlyfrom the bottom of the pan, as set forth.

5. An amalgamating-machine, comprising a revoluble pan, and aring ofless height and diameter than the rim of the pan, secured to andinclining upwardly and inwardly from the bottom of the pan, means fordelivering pulp to the pan, and a deflecting-plate within the pan andextending over the ring on the bottom of the pan, as set forth.

6. An amalgamating-machine, comprising a revoluble pan having asubstantially flat bottom, and a plurality of concentric rings of lessheight and diameter than the rim of the pan, secured to the bottom ofthe pan, means for delivering pulp to the pan, and a deflecting-platewithin the pan and extending over the rings on the bottom of the pan, asset forth.

7. An amalgamating-machine, comprising a revoluble pan, and a pluralityof concentric rings of less diameter than the rim of the pan, secured tothe bottom of the pan, the outer ring being of less height than the rimof the pan and the inner ring being of less height than the outer ring,means for delivering pulp to the pan, and a deflecting-plate within thepan and extending over the rings on the bottom of the pan, as set forth.

8. An amalgamating-machine, comprising a revoluble pan having a rimwhich inclines first inward and upward from the bottom and thenceoutward and upward to the top, and one or more rings of less height anddiameter than that of the rim, secured to and inclining upwardly andinwardly from the bottom of the pan, means for delivering pulp to thepan, and a deflecting-plate'within the pan and extending over thering-son the bottom of the pan, as set forth.

9. An amalgamating-machine, comprising a revoluble pan, and aring ofless height and diameter than the rim of the pan, secured to bination,the pan A comprising the lower and upper frustums a a, the twoconcentric rings 8 e of less height than the rim of the pan and securedto and inclining upwardly and inwardly from the bottom of the pan, thelip E formed round the top of the pan, and the cylinders F F formingbetween them the chambers E for receiving the pulp as it leaves the pan,as set forth.

11. In an amalgan'iating-machine, the combination of the pan A, theconcentric upwardly and inwardly inclined rings of less height than therim of the pan, the feed-pipe H arranged to discharge over the center ofthe pan, the disk J for spreading or distributing the pulp as it entersthe pan, and means for adjusting the height of the disk J in relation tothe bottom of the pan, said means comprising the adjustable collar j onthe feed-pipe and the rodsj attached at one extremity to the disk and atthe other extremity to the collar, as set forth.

12. In combination, the pan A, the concentric upwardly and inwardlyinclined rings e 6' of less height than the rim of the pan, the lip Eround the top of the pan, the two concentric cylinders forming thechamber E to receive the pulp as it leaves the pan, the ad justable diskJ, the launder G and pipe H discharging over the center of the panbeneath the disk, the metal band L round the base of the pan A, thestationary bracket Z, the brush Z connected With the electric wire M andbearing against the band L for making an electrical connection with therotating pin, and the electric wire N connected with the pipe H forpassing a current ofelectricity through the pan and its contents, as setforth.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands, at Johannesburg,Transvaal, this 13th day of December, 1902, in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL ALFORD. JOHN JAMES ROBERT SMYTHE.

Witnesses:

CHAS. OVENDALE, J. F. SCRIMGEOUR.

